Sunday, July 7, 2013

The analogy of Cain and Abel and the moral disorder in Canada was first presented by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical, Evangelium Vitae or the Gospel of Life on March 25th, 1995. If you are somewhat new to or unfamiliar with the late pontiff's writings, Evangelium Vitae is considered to be one of the most important documents of Pope John Paul II's pontificate.Evangelium Vitae is a document that seeks to defend and promote the value and inviolability of human life against the many threats to it, such as: abortion, euthanasia, death penalty, human embryo research and all others. The document's inclusion of the biblical passage of Cain killing Abel, not only highlights the seriousness of murder, but it is meant to address the modern world's "culture of death," where many countries have ushered in murder at law and within their constitutions. Just as Cain was responsible for Abel's death, so too are many political leaders responsible for the deaths of innocent unborn children. Canada is one such country where abortion is legally available on demand since 1988. Today's post speaks directly about the moral disorder in Canada that has resulted from the daily willful murder of developing human beings in the womb. A Brief Summary of the Scriptural Passage of Cain and AbelTo understand the analogy of Canada's moral disorder and the biblical passage of Cain and Abel, I have provided a brief summary, which can be read in full at Genesis 4:9-16. Cain and Abel, were sons of Eve. Cain a tiller of theground and Abel was a keeper of sheep. Over time, both presented offerings to God. Abel offered the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions and Cain, fruit of the ground. Of the two offerings, God was pleased only with Abel's. As a result Cain became angry and plotted to kill Abel. Cain invited Abel to go out into the field and it was there that Cain rose up against Abel killing him. The Lord then asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" Cain replied, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" The Lord said to Cain, "What have you done?" As punishment, Cain was banished from the land he knew to live out in exile, wandering about like a fugitive. Cain became quite distressed and was worried about retribution by others for the killing of his brother. God assured him he will not be harmed and to prove it, marked Cain so that all who saw this mark, would know not to hurt him. The place of tranquility of Eden that Cain had enjoyed was to be no more. Cain finally settled in Nod, east of Eden, alone and separated from God.
After the murder, God intervened and questioned Cain asking him where is his brother Abel. Cain who instead of showing any remorse and apologizing, arrogantly eludes God's question with his response, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" Cain tries to deny any responsibility and covers up his actions with a lie.Pope John Paul II quoted Genesis and presented a fundamental concern regarding today's world that is at the core of this analogy, "The Lord said to Cain: "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground" (Gen 4:10). The voice of the blood shed by men continues to cry out, from generation to generation, in ever new and different ways. The Lord's question: "What have you done?", which Cain cannot escape, is addressed also to the people of today..." (EV, 10) Prime Minister Stephen Harper is one such individual, with his adamant refusal to allow for abortion to be debated in the House of Commons. The Moral Disorder Within the Canadian ContextAs early as September 29, 2008, Prime Minister Harper had publicly stated to reporters that his government would not open the abortion debate, and prevent anyone else from trying to do so. This shocking announcement was caught by Lifesitenews and published in an article entitled, Prime Minister Harper: Not Now, Not Ever Will Conservative Government Protect Unborn Children.Prime Minister Harper on that same day, reiterated his government's position three more times.In 2011, Harper held his position and keep true to his words, when he fled from Conservative Member of Parliament, Brad Trost's pro-life comments made at a pro-life convention by stating, "As long as I'm prime minister, we are not opening the abortion debate...The government will not bring forward any such legislation, and any such legislation that is brought forward will be defeated."There have been other Conservative MP's, such as Stephen Woodworth's Motion 312 in 2012, which sought to launch a special committee to re-examine section 223 of Canada's Criminal Code, which stipulates that a child only becomes a human being once he or she has fully proceeded from the womb. Prime Minister Harper voted against it and the motion was defeated in the House of Commons.During that same year, Mark Warawa's put forth Motion 408 to re-examine the definition of human life and condemn sex-selective abortions.Then there are the twenty six Conservative MP's and two Senators who were in attendance at this year's March For Life in Ottawa, a clear indication that a significant amount of Harper's government are against the killing of a developing human being in the womb.Harper continues to ignore the concerns of Canadians and those of his own Members of Parliament and the Senate.Perhaps it is the view of Prime Minister Harper that he is "not his brother's keeper?" What ever the case may be, as Prime Minister, he has a direct responsibility to protect Canadians, especially those most vulnerable such as those developing in the womb. (EV, 59) To do otherwise should be considered willful negligence on his part and is the equivalent of Cain's action against Abel. Perhaps Harper flatters himself that he knows not his sins, but he will have to answer to God on judgement day and woe to him if his response is that of Cains! Pope John Paul II stated in Evangelium Vitae, "...I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being." (62) Canada's moral disorder did not began with the current Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his refusal to deal with the abortion issue. It began with stirrings from publications such as: Chatelaine magazine in 1959; and the Globe and Mail; and the United Church Observer in 1961; all in an effort to encourage changes to the abortion law.In addition, there was support for changes to the abortion law from the Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Medical Association in 1963.In 1963-64, The United Church of Canada and Anglican Church of Canada began to support abortion when the life of the mother was threatened.In 1966, the notion that abortion laws should change in Canada made it into the House of Commons with Liberal MP Ian Wahn's private member's bill.Eventually these stirrings became an inclusion in the infamous 1969 Omnibus Bill, reintroduced by then Finance Minister, John Turner. The Omnibus Bill still maintained abortion as a criminal offence, but permitted it when an application for an abortion was approved by a majority of a Therapeutic Abortion Committee. The health of the mother was insufficiently defined, so the emotional health of the mother was also included as a "valid" reason for approving an abortion. What resulted was the approval of many abortions that quickly became the second most popular "surgical procedure" after tonsillectomies.For complete details of how Canada's grave moral disorder began, see Campaign Life Coalition's Chronology of Laws.One of the most significant developments in Canada's moral disorder was the infamous Dr. Henry Morgantaler's 1988 constitutional challenge, which resulted in the removal of all legal restrictions for the killing of a human being in the womb, and essentially began abortion on demand in Canada. Today, there are abortion facilities operating legally under some euphemistic title as "Women's Health Clinic." In my view, Canada has left the "Garden of Eden," a place of plenty, of harmonious interpersonal relationships and friendship with God, to a place on earth transformed by moral disorder, a land of Nod. Like Cain, many Canadians are marked by their willful murder of the innocent and roam the country separated from God.

Witness To Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II

Anyone who has yet to read the biography of St. John Paul II, "Witness To Hope," by George Weigel, may want to seriously consider adding it to their reading list. With so many distressed by this current papacy, the life and papacy of St. John Paul II is the perfect antidote to the confusion and discouragement plaguing the Church today! If you seek clarity, truth, knowledge and understanding, I can assure you that by reading this biography you will acquire it, and in great abundance. Click on the above photo or copy the following url to read about the biography and the author: https://eppc.org/publications/witness-to-hope/

Medjugorje Captured in Three Minutes

The Fragility of Order: Catholic Reflections on Turbulent Times

An interview with George Weigel on EWTN on a variety of issues including: Cardinal Pell's trial; the controversy of the Church in China; the upcoming Synod on Youth; the controversy of Cardinal Kasper; the state of the Church today; and St. John Paul II's pontificate and its enormous contributions to the Church.

Lessons in Hope: My Unexpected Life With St. John Paul II

George Weigel's talk on his latest book, "Lessons in Hope: My Unexpected Life With St. John Paul II," delivered at the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture on November 2, 2017.

George Weigel, biographer of St. John Paul II ("Witness to Hope" and "The End and the Beginnings") and Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, delivers keynote address at annual Vocations Jamboree and receives prestigious Lumen Vitae Medal from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.
The prestigious Lumen Vitae Medal, (Latin for “light of life”) is given to those who are champions of Catholic education and who bring others closer to Christ and his Church.

DO NOT BE AFRAID

St. John Paul II - A Witness To Hope

Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism

The latest movie on the enormous contributions of Saint John Paul II, to the Church and the world, and his role in the fall of communism.

Rosary on the Coast in the British Isles

A photo of group recitation of the Rosary on April 29, the national prayer event, Rosary on the Coast for Faith, Life and Peace in the British Isles. Photo: Ross S. J. Crichton

Yoga, Tai-Chi & Reiki - A Guide For Christians

Abortion is NOT Healthcare

The Silent Scream

The Silent Scream is a video from Dr. Bernard Nathanson that illustrates the gravity of abortion by revealing exactly what happens during an abortion, primarily through ultrasound imaging. Let us never be indifferent to the plight of the unborn. May God bless you in your effort to defend life, save the lives of the unborn and convert those who are anti-life.

The following video is about the life of Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC who at the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was cured from tuberculosis. After this miraculous cure, he set out on a mission in honour of Our Lady and dedicated to the family, through the promotion of the recitation of the Rosary.

Our Lady's November 2, Message From Medjugorje

"Dear children, My motherly heart suffers as I am looking at my children who do not love the truth, those who are hiding it - as I look at my children who do not pray with their feelings and actions. I am sad as I am saying to my Son that many of my children no longer have faith, that they do not know Him - my Son. That is why I call you, apostles of my love: you strive to look to the very depth in human hearts and there you are certain to find the little hidden treasure. To look in this way is mercy from the Heavenly Father. To seek the good even where there is the greatest evil - to strive to comprehend each other and not to judge - that is what my Son is asking of you. And I, as a mother, am calling you to listen to Him. My children, the spirit is mightier than the flesh, and, carried by love and actions, it overcomes all obstacles. Do not forget: my Son has loved you and loves you. His love is with you and in you when you are one with Him. He is the light of the world and no one and nothing will be able to stop Him in the final glory. Therefore, apostles of my love, do not be afraid to witness the truth. Witness it with enthusiasm, with works, with love, with your sacrifice, and, above all, in humility. Witness the truth to all those who have not come to know my Son. I will be alongside you. I will encourage you. Witness the love which never ends because it comes from the Heavenly Father who is eternal and who offers eternity to all of my children. The spirit of my Son will be alongside you. Anew I am calling you, my children: pray for your shepherds, pray that the love of my Son may lead them. Thank you."

Our Lady's October 25, Message From Medjugorje

"Dear children! You have a great grace of being called to a new life through the messages which I am giving you. This, little children, is a time of grace, a time and a call to conversion for you and the future generations. Therefore, I am calling you, little children, pray more and open your heart to my Son Jesus. I am with you and love you all and bless you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Amazing Grace in Medjugorje

At the 35th Anniversary Mass in Medjugorje, "Amazing Grace" was performed by the local choir together with the Dubrovnik Orchestra.

Blood Lions - A Documentary on Canned Hunting in South Africa

The documentary "Blood Lions," is a must see documentary for anyone who wants to know the truth and become aware of what is going on in South Africa: canned hunting of lions! The South African government has failed to enact laws to stop and banish such activity from the land. If I recall correctly, the department to contact in the South African government is the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Here is the contact information:

Kevin Richardson - The Lion Whisperer

You'll never guess what just happened. Watch as Kevin announces he has over 150,000 subsribers!

The Cove Movie Trailer

The truth about the atrocities being committed in Taiji, Japan where thousands of dolphins have been corralled into a small cove and slaughtered. Those that were spared were sent to marine prisons, euphemistically referred to as marine parks throughout the world. For anyone who has respect for God's creation and at a very minimum, some common sense about right and wrong, this movie trailer is a must watch.

Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project

Click on the image to visit the dolphinproject.net and learn more about the plight of dolphins in Taiji, Japan.

About Me

As a single forty something resident of Woodbridge, Ontario I seek to share my gifts with my local community, Canada and the world. Drawing from my Roman Catholic faith, readings, experience, creative endeavours and concerted effort to be informed on some of the many issues that exist here in Woodridge, in Canada and throughout the world, I hope that in expressing and sharing my gifts, others no matter where they may be, will in some way benefit from their time at my blog. May God send His abundant blessings and mercies upon all who visit this blog! Cheers!